Carbon Chemistry - Structure Flashcards
Define organic chemistry
a branch of chemistry which deals with carbon compounds
What is covalent bonding?
When non-metals bond together by sharing electrons to gain a full valence shell.
Example of how covalent bonding happens in methane
The single electron from 4 H atoms is attracted to the positively charged nucleus of a carbon atom.
Simultaneously, the valence electrons in the carbon atom are attracted to the nucleus of the H atoms.
Four covalent bonds form when pairs of electrons are LOCALISED (fixed in place) between hydrogen and carbon nuclei.
What is a hydrocarbon?
A compound that primarily contain carbon and hydrogen atoms. The simplest of which is ALKANES.
What are alkanes?
A homologous series of SATURATED hydrocarbons with single covalent bonds between carbon atoms.
How to name alkanes?
FIND THE LONGEST CHAIN OF CARBON ATOMS
ends in “ane”
- Meth-
- Eth-
- Prop-
- But-
- Pent-
- Hex-
- Hept-
- Oct-
What is the difference between molecular formula and structural formula?
Molecular formula shows how many atoms of each element there are. Eg C2H6
Structural formula is a graphical representation of the molecular structure
H H
| |
H --C --- C -- H
| |
H H
General formula for alkanes?
C(n)H(2n+2)
What are alkenes?
A homologous series of UNSATURATED hydrocarbons where there is one or more doubles bonds between adjacent carbon atoms.
What are alkenes unsaturated?
Because the one double bond means that two pairs of electrons are being shared between two carbon atoms, meaning that these carbon atoms do not contain the maximum number of HYDROGEN atoms.
How to determine the difference between alkanes and alkenes?
Add bromine water to both the alkane and alkene. Swirl. The alkene should turn colourless from orange, but the alkane stays orange.
What does bromine water turn colourless in alkenes?
Because the one double bond is more reactive than a single bond. One of the double bonds break, and now carbons have a single bond and they have a spare electron in order to covalently bond with the bromine.
So, when a reactive substance like bromine is added to alkene, the double bond opens and a new type of molecule forms.
What are alcohols?
A homologous series of ORGANIC molecules with an ALKANE chain but a hydroxyl group attached to one of the carbon atoms. The OH group replaces one of the hydrogen atoms.
What is the general formula for alkenes?
C(n)H(2n)
What is the general formula for alcohols?
C(n)H(2n+1)OH
